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How to clean your dishwasher
We can’t promise to make cleaning your dishwasher fun, but we can make it quick and easy. With a few small, regular tasks, you can keep your appliance sparkling.
Cleaning your dishwasher is never going to be your favourite thing, but we’ve got a few ways you can keep on top of it without taking up loads of time and effort. If you notice dishes come out with specks of food on them, a bad smell, or cloudy glasses, it might be a sign it’s time to give your model some TLC – little and often’s the key.
There’s nothing worse than pulling out still-mucky plates or finding an unwelcome odour greeting you when the dishwasher’s been on. Whether your Bosch dishwasher’s making a splash or you’ve got a clever Fisher & Paykel drawer dishwasher, all it takes is a few regular tidy-ups and the odd deep clean to save you from any dish-appointment next time the cycle ends.
Quick, weekly tasks
Tackle any bad smells before they ruin the mood by spending a few minutes cleaning the filter, door seals, and drain area.
- Remove the bottom rack and you’ll find the filter at the bottom of the machine. Most twist out in 2 or 3 parts – check your manual if you’re not sure.
- Once it’s out, rinse all the parts under warm running water to clear out any bits of food or gunk.
- For stuck-on bits, use a soft brush (toothbrushes make a great choice) and dish soap. That’ll get rid of grease.
- Pop all the parts back together and put them back in the dishwasher as you found them.
A monthly job
Run a hot cycle to give the machine a big clear-out – it’s really that simple, you barely need to lift a finger!
- Since every dishwasher is different, check your manual for advice first.
- Add the recommended cleaner from the instructions.
- Run a hot/normal cycle on an empty dishwasher – make sure you don’t add detergent on autopilot.
Quarterly checks
If you notice your dishes aren’t quite getting clean, the spray arm holes could be clogged with mineral deposits or food particles.
- Look at the small holes in both the lower and upper spray arms to see if they’re blocked.
- If you can see blockages, use a toothpick, a small piece of flexible wire, or a pipe cleaner to poke the holes and dislodge that debris.
- Remove the spray arms – they usually just lift off or unscrew – and rinse them thoroughly under the tap. Put them back securely after.
Top tips
Remember to always check your manual before using any cleaning products in your dishwasher.
If you’re fresh out of dishwasher cleaner, you could run your hot cycle with a bowl of vinegar on the top shelf.
To get rid of any bad smells quickly, sprinkle baking soda across the bottom of the appliance before running your hot cycle.
